My Department are currently implementing a new regional management structure. Eight regions, each composing a number of counties, have been set up. In general, the regional boundaries coincide with county boundaries and also with the boundaries of health board and FÁS regions.
At this early stage of implementation the arrangments have to take account of available resources such as accommodation, staffing and computer support. As new payment arrangements are introduced for the unemployed, the various constraints are expected to ease and opportunities for refining and improving the regional boundaries will become available.
The new arrangments represent an improvement over the old position. I accept, however, that where circumstances permit county boundaries should be maintained. The position in this area will be reviewed on a priority basis when the improved payment facilities for the unemployed are established in Limerick county.
We are at present reorganising the areas. We are endeavouring to keep the county boundaries. There are areas where there will be an overlap but, when we get the system fully in place, we will be able to deal with these initial difficulties.
